LEWISTOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

It was suggested that the Nursery School Assistant Teacher position be advertised.

Pledges are coming in slowly. The budget will be ready for approval at a special meeting in December.

It was requested that individuals and committees consult with the pastor when scheduling a Minute for Mission.

An “Invite a Friend” campaign will be planned for Advent.

The elevator is now in operation. The borough has allowed the church a second handicap parking space on Third Street. The steeple lighting is almost finished.

“Deck the Halls” has been scheduled for Sunday, November 25.

Elder Siddons was elected to attend the Presbytery meeting November 13.

The annual congregation meeting was set for January 20, 2008.

Officer training and examination has been scheduled for January 23 and 24, 2008. At least six session members need to be present at each meeting.

The purchase of Books of Order and Books of Confessions for elders and deacons elect was approved.

Ordination and installation of new officers will be January 27, 2008.

NEWS FROM STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Pledges toward the 2008 budget of the Church are still being received. So far we have received 70 pledges totaling $106,260. This number is about $30,000 under last year’s total. Every pledge counts.

It has come to our attention that IRS has recently changed the tax law regarding gifts to church and charity. Prior law allowed taxpayers to back up their donations of money with personal bank registers, diaries or notes made around the time of the donation. Those types of records are no longer sufficient. Now a taxpayer must have a bank record such as canceled checks, bank or credit union statements. Also, the taxpayer must receive an acknowledgement from a charity for each deductible donation of $250 or more.

To taxpayers planning their holiday-season and year-end donations, the IRS also states that contributions are only deductible in the year made. Checks or cash will count for 2007 as long as they are mailed to or received by the Church by December 31, 2007.

f you have questions or comments please contact J Carl Haldeman or Jean Burlew.

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SUNDAY MORNING VOLUNTEERS

DECEMBER 2007

• December 2 – Shirley Ferguson
• December 9 – Kevin Kodish
• December 16 – Cora Beaver-Shelly
• December 23 – Doug Garner
• December 30 – Dr. Marsha Soult

• Janie Welshans – Head Usher
• Lonnie and Diane Griffith
• Charlie and Chris Harklerode
• Larry Welshans

• December 2 – Rita Wolfgang and Chelsea Siddons
• December 9 – Robert and Rachel Corson
• December 16 – Kelly and Shelbie Frankhouser
• December 23 – Karen McCurdy and Katie Pecht
• December 30 – Jennifer Creighton and Becca Dillon

• December 2 – Virginia Warfel
• December 9 - Janie Welshans
• December 16 – Grades 1 – 4
• December 23 – Jim Duffman
• December 30 - Ruth Fisher

• December 2 - Pastor Bill King
• December 9 – Katie Buchanan
• December 16 – Lynn Curry
• December 23 – Leah Siddons
• December 30 - TBA

• December 2 – Cookin’ Up Christmas Practice
• December 9 - Cookin’ Up Christmas Practice
• December 16 – Cantata - No Junior Church
• December 23 – TBA
• December 30 - TBA

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING

ADVENT II – December 9 – Ryan, Laurie and Macey Fultz, Megan and Tyler Earnest

ADVENT III – December 16 – Jack, Karen and Ali McCurdy

ADVENT IV – December 23 – Doug, Sue, Daniel and Alex Garner

THERE’S A SONG IN THE AIR

There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer, and a baby low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

There’s a tumult of joy o’er the wonderful birth,
For the Virgin’s sweet boy is the Lord of the earth.
Ay! The star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

Holland/Harrington

Announcements and Reminders

EARLY DEADLINE – Please have your articles for the January edition of the PANORAMA to the church office by Thursday, December 13.

GREEN CHRISTMAS ENVELOPES – The Mission and Evangelism Committee has chosen to designate the Christmas offering to be given to the Deacons fund.

“HERE WE COME A-CAROLING” – “O Come, All Ye Faithful” – all ages are invited to put a song in the air Sunday, December 16. Meet at the church by 5:00 p.m. to wish our friends a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED – Opportunities are available to sponsor the bulletins for New Year Sunday - January 6 and New Year Communion – January 13 and an opportunity is available to sponsor the altar flowers Sunday, January 20, 2008. If you can help with one of these Sundays, please call the church office (248-4561).

ANNUAL REPORTS DUE - All chairperson/leaders of congregational committees and organizations are reminded to submit your annual report for 2007 to the church office by Wednesday, January 2, 2008.

ANNUAL MEETING – The Session has set Sunday, January 20, 2008 for the Annual Meeting of the Lewistown Presbyterian Church.

NEW ADDRESS FOR LOIS KLING: Senior Commons at Powder Mill 1765 Powder Mill Rd Apt 209 York Pa 17403

A NOTE FROM THE CRANSTONS – Nonine is in the special rehab unit at the Heritage called the Somerfield. She must use a walker or wheelchair. Jim lives in a separate unit. Their daughter lives about 15 miles away. Everything is going well at this time. They wish the best to the congregation.

Thursday, December 20

12 noon in the Baraca Room

Program by Pastor Bill King

Please join Us for a meal, Fun and fellowship!

See you there!

Rev. Bob Zorn Will also star in the presentation, along with all the little ones who will help present the most important Christmas story of all – the birth of Jesus!

You are invited to a covered-dish dinner at 5:30 PM before the program Make the recipe for this Christmas season one you will remember.

Poinsettias

The Mexican legend of the poinsettia tells of a poor orphan girl who had no gift for the cathedral’s altar on Christmas Eve. Out of desperation, the little girl picked a bunch of unsightly weeds on her way to the church. As she reluctantly presented her gifts, a miracle occurred, and the weeds were transformed into colorful poinsettias.

Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett was the American ambassador to Mexico from 1825 to 1829. His keen interest in botany made him very interested in the Flower of the Holy Night and he brought it back to his home in South Carolina. It became very popular as a Christmas plant and was named after him.

ORDER YOUR POINSETTIAS

Print and complete the following form by December 9, 2007.

Poinsettia Order Form

Please pick up your poinsettia(s) after the evening service on Monday, December 24.

Krislund Korner

December Edition

The “Gentle Whisper”
Elijah discovered God, not in the spectacular wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a “gentle whisper” (1Kings 19:11ff). Our loud and hectic culture misses, but deeply needs, the gentle whisper of God’s Presence revealed once in a manger. Krislund seeks to be a place where hard-of-hearing people of all ages may listen and follow the Word made flesh. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry of Good News.

FtF Benchmark Reached / Goal Achievable
The Funding the Future (FtF) capital campaign reached the October 27th benchmark of 1.5million dollars in pledges and gifts. Less than one quarter of the two million dollar goal remains. Churches and individuals are needed to complete this vision for spreading the Gospel and bringing renewal to all ages at Krislund. Please contact Steve Cort at 814.422.8878 or e-mail info@krislund.org  in order to participate. (Ask how your donation/pledge can be designated as a Christmas gift in someone’s honor.) Thank you.

To Build It, They Must Come
The new adult and family lodge site is poised for excavation at the end of November. Very soon there will be immediate need for strong backs, willing hands, and skilled workers to help build the foundation, walls, and roof of this impressive structure. Individuals and church work groups are asked to contact our Lodge Mission Group Coordinator, Dan Alex (717.599.4283 or danalex@comcast.net  ) for more work information and to schedule time(s) to come. Accommodations are available.

’08 Summer Camp; Now’s the Time to Schedule
Old and familiar, new and different are all available in the 21camps of 2008. Camp info and application are on our website, www.krislund.org  . Go to “summer program” and click on the picture to download the brochure. Look below for “What’s New.”

What’s New this Summer? The new lodge design has prompted the need for a lake. A two-acre lake will be ready for canoeing this summer. Since this lake will cover the eastern portion of the field across from the Retreat Center, a new 150x150yard recreation field has been prepared below the Mini Adventure Play area. Soccer and large group games will be held here. Look for more “What’s New” information in January’s Korner.

Cooks: The Search is On Our special cook, Carol Gipe, retired at the end of the summer and returned home to be near family, especially grandchildren. Krislund is looking for part time cook(s) for our off-season program (primarily weekends) and for a head cook for the summer. Experience cooking for large groups is necessary; ServSafe certification will be funded by the camp. Contact Sharon at the camp office for more information.

Krislund office: 814.422.8878
Office E-mail: info@krislund.org